Adolescent Transition Clinics Soon to Rise in PGH as Part of Collaborative Program ‘Lipat Kalinga’

September 08, 2025

Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit

The Memorandum of Understanding for the Expanded PH Adolescent Transitioning (Lipat Kalinga) Program was signed on Sept. 8,2025 by (from left) University of the Philippines Manila Chancellor Michael Tee, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chairperson, Dr. Ma. Antonia Habana; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Chairperson Dr. Evangeline Dela Fuente; Department of Pediatrics Chairperson, Dr. Edilberto Garcia; Department of Neurosciences Chairperson, Maria Epifania Collantes; and Philippine General Hospital Director, Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.

Officials of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Departments of Pediatrics, Dermatology, Neurosciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine signed a supplemental memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sept. 8, 2025, formalizing their partnership towards the enhancement of the Lipat Kalinga program.

The Lipat Kalinga program, or LK3, is a dedicated adolescent renal transition clinic that operates through a four-phase program: preparation, assessment of readiness, physical transfer, and post-transfer follow-up. This entails a year-long schedule of relevant medical activities and includes an active transition checklist, a monitoring score sheet for patient progress, and a final graduation/endorsement ceremony for patients ready to be transferred to adult health services, the MOU said.

The MOU stipulates that the Department of Pediatrics and Division of Adolescent Medicine shall spearhead the setting up of the adolescent transition clinics, development and implementation of the structured program following the LK3 template, provision of new strategies that will improve LK3 to make it a vital component of adolescent management in the hospital setting and identifying potential areas of research with national and international impact.

Meanwhile, the Departments of Dermatology, Neurosciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine shall lead the development of programs that will familiarize adolescents with adult health services, attend and participate in LK3 activities, coordinate with the Department of Pediatrics, Medical Social Service, Dietary Service, and Nursing Service in the conduct of LK3 activities, and collaborate in the production and publication of relevant joint research.